transport guide moray community planning partnership transport guide 1 THE MORAY FORUM The Moray Forum is a constituted voluntary organisation that was established to provide a direct link between the Area Forums and the Moray Community Planning Partnership. The Forum is made up of two representatives of each of the Area Forums and meets on a regular basis. Further information about The Moray Forum is available on: www.yourmoray.org.uk Area Forums are recognised by the Moray Community Planning Partnership as an important means of engaging local people in the Community Planning process. In rural areas, such as Moray. transport is a major consideration, so in September 2011 the Moray Forum held its first transport seminar to look at the issues and concerns that affect our local communities in respect of access to transport. Two actions that came from that event was the establishment of a Passenger Forum and a Transport Providers Network. This work was taken forward by the Moray Forum Transport Working Group made up of representatives of the Area Forums, Moray Council, NHS Grampian, tsiMORAY, and community transport schemes. In September 2013 the Working Group repeated the seminar to see how much progress had been made on the actions and issues identified in 2011. As a direct result of the work of the Group this Directory has been produced in order to address an on-going concern that has been expressed of the lack of information on what transport is available in Moray, the criteria for accessing certain transport services, and where to go for further advice. The Moray Forum Transport Working Group would like to acknowledge the help of all the people who provided information for this Directory, and thereby made a contribution towards the integration of public, private and community transport services within Moray. Anita Milne Chairperson 2 moray community planning partnership transport guide Contents: Page Introduction Transport for Individuals 5 Cars Taxis & Private Hire Cars Local Bus and Rail Services Transport for Groups 10 Community Sector Minibus Moray Council Minibus Hire Self-drive Hire Bus/Coach Hire Help with Transport 12 Travel Concessions Health Service Transport Index of Schemes/Operators 13 Community Car Schemes RVS British Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service Community Bus Services Self-drive Hire Taxis & Private Hire Cars Bus & Coach Hire Rail Operators Sources of Information and Advice moray community planning partnership transport guide 3 Introduction This guide contains information for people travelling alone or as part of a group. It includes details about travel concessions and available help in addition to sources of information and advice related to transport. Contact information for community transport and commercial operators is provided in an index of schemes and operators. This guide is split into two parts; the first contains general information on all kinds of passenger transport available in Moray, the second part contains more detailed information listed area by area along with useful telephone numbers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this Guide, we can only hope to provide a brief outline of the many different services available. Inclusion in this guide does not necessarily imply endorsement or approval of a particular operator or service. Details of services should be checked with the operators. 4 moray community planning partnership transport guide ADVERT ADVERT Transport for individuals This section of the Guide describes services available for those travelling as individuals using two forms of transport: Cars, Buses and Trains. Cars This section of the Guide describes services available for those who wish to be driven. There are a number of options available in Moray which are described below: Community Car Schemes British Red Cross WRVS Taxis and Private Hire Cars. Community Car Schemes Community car sharing schemes extend informal car sharing by using an organiser and paid or voluntary drivers to broaden the network of lift availability beyond immediate family and neighbours. There is a list of drivers who use their own cars and are reimbursed for their expenses. Many car schemes exist both in Moray and throughout the UK. Most schemes are independently organised and were established for different purposes. Eligibility criteria vary but restrictions are usually imposed, as there are rarely as many volunteers as the organiser would like. Passengers usually make a contribution towards the costs of the scheme. The law on accepting fares in this way is quite specific, normally requiring compliance with bus, taxi or private hire legislation. However, since 1978 community car schemes have been exempt from these licensing arrangements. A volunteer driver must not make a profit from expenses, although the costs associated with running the car can be recovered. An ordinary driving licence is all that is required and insurance schemes now accept that there is no formal need for extra premiums for such vehicle use. Schemes do, however, sometimes obtain additional insurance for their drivers, to cover any loss of no claims bonus for example. Further information and advice on running community car schemes can be obtained from The Community Transport Association. See Transport Advice and Information section for contact details. Contacts for Community Car Sharing Schemes in the Moray area are included in the index. 6 moray community planning partnership transport guide British Red Cross – Transport and Escort Service The British Red Cross offers a transport and escort service for those who have difficulty with movement or those who use non wheelchair transport by providing drivers with suitable vehicles, and escorts where needed. Contact information is included in the index under British Red Cross. RVS The Royal Voluntary Service offers a Social Transport Scheme using volunteer drivers and their own cars. Any length of journey is undertaken within reason, for medical, hospital, dental, shopping or social visits. Contact information is included in the index under RVS. moray community planning partnership transport guide 7 Taxis and Private Hire Cars There are over 200 licensed taxis and private hire cars serving Moray. Vehicles range in size from four to eight passenger seats and some are wheelchair accessible. The vehicles offered as wheelchair accessible are varied and may involve wheelchair users facing forwards or rearwards. Enquiries should be made to operators for details of the vehicles available. Taxis may be hired at rank, on street, or pre booked, but must be fitted with a meter. Of the taxis operating within the Moray area 10 are currently wheelchair accessible. Private hire cars must be pre booked, by telephone or by calling at the operator’s office. Taxis and private hire cars are licensed by The Moray Council and some companies may operate both taxis and private hire cars. Contact information for operators is included in the index under Taxis and Private Hire Cars. Local Bus Services Bus Services There are bus services throughout Moray and excellent links East and West to Aberdeen and Inverness. Public bus services are provided by private operators either commercially or under contract to The Moray Council (for subsidised routes). Most of buses in the area have accessibility features such as low floors to make boarding easier for those with limited mobility or travelling with young children/pushchairs etc. Please contact bus operator for more information. Contact information for each of the main commercial bus/coach operators in the area is included in the index under Bus Operators Dial M for Moray What is Dial M for Moray? The Dial M for Moray is an accessible door to door Dial a Bus service (public roads only) for those unable to use existing forms of transport or who do not have a regular bus service. This service is for everyone regardless of age or disability. 8 moray community planning partnership transport guide Who can use dial M for Moray? You can use this service if you:- • Live within the areas shown on the publicity maps • Have no alternative transport due to: 1. No bus service available 2. Elderly/Frail 3. Disabilities 4. Need for assistance Dial M for Moray vehicles The vehicles are fully accessible. The seating arrangements are flexible to meet a variety of travel needs including wheelchairs. All passengers are required to wear seatbelts. Where can I go? This service operates in 5 Areas which cover most of Moray and we provide connections to other bus services. You will be required to change to another service for longer distance travel this will incur an additional fare.You may travel anywhere within the area indicated on the zone maps (pages 19, 20 & 21) subject to no other bus service meeting your travel needs. When can I travel? The service operates Monday to Friday at times shown in the leaflets. There will be no service December 25th, 26th, January 1st, 2nd and May Day each year. How do I book a seat? All Dial M for Moray journeys must be booked by phoning our booking line 0300 123 4565 between 0845 and 1700 Mondays to Fridays. Bookings can be taken up to seven days in advance but must be made no later than 1300 the day before you intend to travel. Every effort is made to meet your booking request at the time required but we book on a ‘first come first served’ basis and we may require to adjust your pick up time to fit in with the bus schedule.Please be aware that the Dial a Bus booking system can alter scheduled pick up time by up to 15 minutes either way. If you have an appointment please inform us when making your booking. Please remember that this is a Bus Service and that whilst our drivers will offer assistance with boarding and alighting they cannot be responsible to see passengers to, from or into customers property.